One-way basket-style article carriers

ABSTRACT

A strap-style, basket carrier requiring a reduced amount of blank material. The carrier is specifically designed for the packaging of at least eight articles and comprises an improved handle structure. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom and sidewall panels are interconnected by means of sloping marginal panels which further reduce the total amount of blank material required.

United States Patent Glen R. Harrelson [72] Inventor Monroe, La.

[21] AppLNo. 850,719 [22] Filed Aug. 18, 11969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [73] Assignee ()linltraft, Inc.

[54] ONlE-WAY BASKET-STYLE ARTICLE CARRIERS 10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.5. CI 220/113 [51] lnt.Cl 1B65d 75/00 [50] Field of Search ..220/110113 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,208,633 9/1965 Graser 220/111 X 2,687,232 8/1954 Arneson 220/113 2,702,144 2/1955 Forrer 220/111 2,754,028 7/1956 Bergstein... 220/113 3,061,142 10/1962 Cote 220/113 3,163,322 12/1964 Weiss 220/113 X 3,351,230 11/1967 Schuster 220/113 Primary Examiner-10seph R. Lecla'ir Assistant Examiner-James R. Garrett Attorney-N. E. Von Behren ABSTRACT: A strap-style, basket carrier requiring a reduced amount of blank material. The carrier is specifically designed for the packaging of at least eight articles and comprises an improved handle structure. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom and sidewall panels are interconnected by means of sloping marginal panels which further reduce the total amount of blank material required.

SHEET 10F 7 FIG.

INVENTOR 64 67V A HAKRELSOA/ ATTORNEY PATENTED um I 2 WI 3,612,347 saw 2 0F 1 INVENTOR G1 av fine/c5450 B Y m M A OR NEY PAIENTEB um I 21971 SHEU 30F 7 INVENTOR gfzs/vle/imexflsav A TORNEY PATENTED 0m 1 2 I971 3m sum 8 [1F 7 TTOWNEY PATENTED nm 2 mm 3. M? 3M sum 7 UF '1' ATTORNEY ONE-WAT BASKET-STYLE ARTICLE CARRIERS RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.

No. 827,773 tiled on May 26, I969, now U.S. Pat. No.

This invention relates to a multiple-article carrier. More particularly, this invention relates to a multiple-article carrier which is formed from a single bank of sheet material. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a strap-style, basket type multiple-article carrier. Yet more particularly, this invention relates to a strap-style, basket-type carrier requiring a reduced amount of blank material. Even more particularly, this invention relates to a strap-style, basket type carrier particularly suited for the packaging of at least eight articles.

As is well known in the prior art, the use of one-way, disposable bottles has increased rapidly in recent years. The increased use of these bottles has led to an increased demand for less expensive carriers which might be discarded after a single use. As is also well known in the prior art, this demand for less expensive carriers led to the development of the wraparound style carriers which require a reduced amount of blank material, and hence, which can be produced at a reduced cost. There are, however, certain disadvantages associated with the wraparound carriers which are not exhibited by the basket style carriers. Accordingly, a substantial effort has been devoted to the development of a basket-style. carrier requiring a reduced amount of blank material which could economically be used in the packaging of one-way articles. Such a carrier is disclosed and claimed in copending application, Ser. No. 827,773, filed May 26, 1969 in the name of the inventor of the present invention.

In copending application, Ser. No. 827,773, there is disclosed and claimed a strap-style, basket-type carrier requiring substantially less blank material than conventional basketstyle carriers. The reduction in blank material is due principally to reductions in the handle portion of the carrier and the use of marginal panels which are sloped between the bottom and sidewall panels. The invention as disclosed in copending application, Ser. No. 827 ,773, is concerned primarily, with a six-cell carrier and, although the principals thereof can be applied to carriers having more than six cells, it has been found that further modification is necessary for carriers having eight or more cells to insure that minimum amount 'of blank material is used while at the same time assuring maximum strength to support the increased number of articles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved strap-style carrier of the basket variety. Another object of this invention is to provide an improved basket-style carrier requiring a reduced amount of blank material. Still another object of this invention is to provide a basket-style carrier suitable for use in packaging eight or more one-way articles. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a basket-style carrier which can be erected from a single sheet of blank material. These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the description hereinafter set forth and the accompanying drawings.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing and other objects, are accomplished with a carrier, of the basket variety, which is formed from a single blank of packaging material, which blank is cut, scored and glued to form said carrier. The carrier is formed from a blank having minimal area, and yet affording adequate strength and protection for the packaging of eight or more articles. The carrier is of the high-center cell variety and includes a handle comprising at least two plies throughout and at least three plies in the weakest area thereof. In one embodiment of the present in vention, the principal reduction in blank material results from the improved handle construction. In a second embodiment, a

further reduction in blank material is obtained by the use of marginal panels sloped between the bottom and sidewalls of said carrier. When said marginal panels are used, these panels are formed with spaced cutouts which receive the the bottom comer of each article in the carrier; the cutouts permitting the bottle to rest against the central portion of the bottom wall and the sidewalls. The edges of the cutouts circumscribe a portion of the bottom corner of the bottles to positively hold the articles in place in the carrier. A pair of tabs may be associated with each cutout, one tab extending from a sidewall to overlie the side of an article seated in the respective cutout, and one tab extending from the central portion of the bottom wall to underlie the bottom of an article seated in the respective cutout. As will be more apparent from the disclosure set forth hereinafter, these tabs serve to provide the bottles with substantially the same protection as if the carrier were formed with sidewalls hinged at right angles to a bottom wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a carrier within the scope of the present invention may be formed;

FIGS. 2-4 are plan views of the blank of FIG. I showing the intermediate stages in a succession of folding operations per formed to transform the blank of FIG. 1 into the collapsed carrier shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a collapsed carrier within the scope of the present invention and prepared from the blank shown in FIG. ll;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a carrier within the scope of the present invention and erected from the blank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the carrier shown in FIG. 6, said section being taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a blank from which a carrier representing a preferred form of the present invention may be formed; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a carton erected from the blank of FIG. h.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION For purposes of clarity, the present invention will be described in detail by reference to the embodiment thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. Referring then to FIG. I, there is shown a blank for forming a carrier within the scope of the present invention. The blank may be prepared from paper, paperboard, polymeric or similar materials and comprises a bottom wall, I, bisected by a longitudinal fold line, 2. The bottom wall, l, is hinged to a first sidewall panel, 3, along a scored fold line, 4. A second sidewall panel, 3, is disposed on the opposite side of the blank from said first sidewall panel and has a glue tab, 5, hinged thereto along scored fold line, 6. End wall panels, 7 and 7', are hinged to said first sidewall panel, 3, along scored fold lines, 8 and 8 respectively. Similarly, end wall panels 9 and 9, are hinged to said second sidewall panel, 3, along scored fold lines, 10 and 10', respectively. A pair of riser panels, 111 and 12, are hinged, respectively, to end wall panels, 7' and 9', along scored fold lines, 13 and 14. A single riser panel, 15, is hinged to end wall panels, 7 and 9, along scored fold line, 16-16. Riser panel, I5, is divided into substantially equal panels by scored fold line, 17, which panels can be folded along said scored fold line into a back-to-back relationship, thus effectively providing two riser panels, 18 and 19. Lateral or cross-partition panels, 20 and 21, are cut from riser panels, 11 and I2, and are hinged thereto along scored fold lines, 22-22 and 23-43, respectively. The lateral partition panels 20 and 21, are provided with glue tabs, 24 and 25. The glue tabs, 24 and 25, are hinged, respectively, to lateral partition panels, 20 and 21, along scored fold lines, 26-26 and 27 -27.

A handle panel, 29, is pivotally connected to riser panel, ll, along scored fold line, 13'. The handle panel, 29, is pivotally connected to reinforcing panel, 30, along scored fold line,

31-31, and separated therefrom by U-shaped out line, 32. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the reinforcing panel, 30, is additionally pivotally connected to riser panel, 12, along scored fold line, 14. The reinforcing panel, 30, is also pivotally connected to extension panel, 33, along scored fold line, 34. A handle reinforcing panel, 35, is pivotally connected to handle panel, 29, along scored fold line, 36. It will be noted, that handle panel, 29, comprises, apertures, 37 and 38, which apertures are provided as means .for lifting the erected carrier. A portion of apertures, 37 and 38, is occupied by tabs, 39-39, which tabs are free to rotate about scored fold line, 40-40. It should also be noted, that handle reinforcing panel, 35, contains therein aperture, 37', and that riser panel, 11, contains therein aperture, 38'. Both apertures, 37' and 38', have a portion thereof occupied by tabs, 39-39', which tabs are free to rotate about scored fold lines, 40'-40'.

In addition to the lateral or cross-partition panels, and 21, there is provided at each end of the carrier blank a pair of lateral or cross-partition straps. These are designated in the FIGS., as 41, 41', 42, and 42. As can be seen in FIG. 1, lateral partition strap, 41, is pivotally connected to handle panel, 29, along scored fold line, 43, and to sidewall panel, 3, along scored fold line, 44. Similarly, lateral partition strap, 41', is hinged to handle reinforcing panel, 30, along scored fold line, 45, and to sidewall panel, 3, along scored fold line, 46. At the opposite end of the blank, lateral partition strap, 42, is pivotally connected to handle reinforcing panel 35, along scored fold line, 47, and to sidewall panel, 3, along scored fold line, 48. Similarly, lateral partition strap, 42, is pivotally connected to extension panel 33, along scored fold line, 49 and to sidewall panel, 3', along scored fold line, 50.

The blank shown in FIG. 1, can be erected into a carrier through a gluing and folding sequence as shown in FIGS. 2-4. In referring to these drawings, it should be noted that those portions of the blank which are coated with glue or other adhesive during the erection of the carrier are shown as being stippled. It should also be noted, that for purposes of clarity, the several glue areas are shown only in one FIG. and in each case are shown only in those areas in which glue is essential to obtaining the configuration shown in a next successive Figure.

To erect the blank, shown in FIG. 1, into a carrier glue may be first applied to the handle panel, 29, and the handle reinforcing panel, 30, in the stippled area shown in FIG. 1. At the same time, the lateral partition panels, 20 and 21, should be rotated about scored lines, 22-22 and 23-23, to the position shown by phantom lines in FIG. I and glue applied on the back side of glue tabs, 24 and 25. The riser panels, 11 and 12,

are then rotated about scored lines, 13 and 14, and secured in the positions shown in FIG. 2. As is clearly shown in the Figure, the lateral partition panels, 20 and 21, are rotated such that the terminal portions of riser panels, 11 and 12, lie in a plane above said lateral partition panels when glue tabs, 24 and 25, are secured to sidewall panels, 3 and 3.

Having thus secured riser panels, 11 and 12, and lateral partition panels, 20 and 21, in the positions shown in FIG. 2, glue may teen be applied to handle panel, 29, handle reinforcing panel, 30, and to the portions of riser panels, 11 and 12, as shown in FIG. 2 and extension panel, 33, and handle reinforcing panel, 35 rotated about scored fold lines, 34 and 36, and secured into the position shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the rotation of extension panel. 33, and handle-reinforcing panel, 35, causes lateral partition straps, 42 and 42, to rotate about scored fold lines, 48 and 50, to the positions shown. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, handle reinforcing panel, 35, overlaps a portion of riser panel, 11, thus providing a three-ply section of handle between the apertures, 37, 37, 38 and 38, which are provided for lifting the erected carrier.

With the various panels secured as shown in FIG. 3, glue can then be applied to portions of extension panel, 33, and handle reinforcing panel, 35, and the riser panels, 18 and 19 and end walls, 7 and 9, rotated about scored fold lines, 8 and 10, and secured in a position as shown in FIG. 4. Glue can then be applied to extension panel, 33, risen panels, 12 and 18, glue tab, 5, as shown in FIG. 4, and the two sides of the carton rotated about scored lines, 17 and 31-31, to obtain the collapsed carrier shown in FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that the bottom panel, 1, is rotated about scored fold line, 2, prior to securing said panel to glue tab, 5.

The collapsed carton, shown in FIG. 5, is erected in a known manner by moving the end wall panels 7 and 9, toward the end wall panels, 7 and 9. The erected carton is shown in perspective in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, it can be seen, that lateral partition panel, 21, is rotated out of riser panel, 12, along scored fold lines, 23-23, and extends outwardly therefrom to a point (not shown) where it is secured to sidewall panel, 3'. Similarly, lateral partition panel, 20, is rotated out of riser panel, 11, along scored fold line, 22-22 (not shown), and is secured to sidewall panel 3, As can also be seen in FIG. 6 handle reinforcing panel, 30, is rotated about scored fold lines, 31-31, and extends downwardly therefrom to reinforce the lower portion of the handle section. It will be appreciated, that the savings in blank material resulting from the improved handle structure will be proportional with the distance from the top of the handle section and the scored fold line, 31-31. As can also be seen in FIG. 6, the handle portion of the improved handle of the present invention is at least two-ply throughout, one ply being provided by handle panel, 29 (not shown), and a second ply being provided in part by portion of riser panel, 11, and in part by handle reinforcing panel, 35. It should be noted, that the handle is three-ply between apertures, 37, 37', and 38, 38', due to the overlapping in this area of riser panel, 11, and handle reinforcing panel, 35. As can also be seen in FIG. 6, lateral partition straps, 41' and 42' rotate about scored fold lines, 46 and 50, to provide a raised section in sidewall panel, 3, and are secured respectively to handle reinforcing panel, 30, along scored fold line, 45, and to extension panel, 33, along scored fold line, 49. Similarly, though not shown, lateral partition straps, 41 and 42 are secured in the same manner and provide a raised portion in sidewall panel, 3.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the erected carrier shown in FIG. 6, said section being cut vertically and longitudinally along the line designated as, 7-7, in FIG. 6. This Figure shows in greater detail the positions of riser panels, 11 and 12, and riser panels, 18 and 19, as well as the position of panels 33 and 35. It can also be seen, more clearly, in this Figure that glue tab, 24, is rotated to a position substantially perpendicular to lateral partition panel, 20, and glued to sidewall, 3. It'

will be appreciated that glue tab, 25, is similarly rotated to a position substantially perpendicular to lateral partition panel, 21, and secured to side panel, 3, though not shown.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier will be prepared from a blank allowing for a reduction of board material in both the improved handle structure and in the use of marginal panels which are disposed at an included obtuse angle with the central portion of the sidewalls, and are thus sloped or inclined between the adjacent panels on the carrier. A blank from which a preferred carrier may be prepared is shown in FIG. 8. The blank comprises a bottom wall panel, 101, which is divided by longitudinal fold line, 102. The bottom wall panel, 101, is hinged to sidewall panel, 103, through marginal panels, 75-75. As can be seen in the Figure, marginal panels 75-75 are hingedly connected to bottom wall panel, 101, by scored fold lines, 76-76, and to sidewall panel, 103, along scored fold lines, 77-77. Tabs, 78-78 project from the sidewall panel, 103, between marginal panels 78-78 and are defined by substantially U-shaped cut lines, 79-79. Similarly, tabs, 80-80 extend from bottom wall panel, 101, and are defined by substantially U-shaped cut lines, 81-81. Sidewall panel, 103', is disposed at the opposite side-of the blank from sidewall panel, 103, and is pivotally connected to glue tab, 105, through marginal panels, 75-75'. As can be seen in the Figure, marginal panels, 75'-75, are hinged to glue tab, 105, along scored fold lines, 76 '-76', and

to sidewall panel 103 along scored fold lines, 77-77'. Tabs, 70-70, extend from sidewall panel, 103', between marginal panels, 75-75', and are defined by substantially U-shaped cut lines, 79'-79. Similarly, tabs, 00'-00, extend from glue tab, 105, and are defined by substantially U-shaped cut lines, 0101. It will be readily apparent, that through the use of marginal panels, 75-75 and 75-75', the amount of blank material required for the carton is significantly reduced through a reduction in the width of the bottom wall panel, 101, and by reducing the overall height of sidewall panels 103 and 103.

In all other respects, the blank shown in FIG. 0 is identical with that shown in FIG. 1, and hence, the remaining portions of said blank need not be discussed at great length at this point. It should be noted, however, that end wall panels, 107 and 107' are hingedly connected to sidewall panel, 103 along scored fold lines, 100 and 100'. Similarly, sidewall panels, 109 and 109' are pivotally connected to sidewall panel, 103', along scored fold lines, 110 and 110'. Also, riser panels, 111 and 112, are pivotally connected to end wall panels, 107 and 109' along scored fold lines, 113 and 114, respectively. As has already been noted, riser panels, 111 and 112, are folded into a back-to-back relationship when the carrier is erected. Moreover, riser panel, 115, is hinged to end wall panels, 107 and 109 along scored fold lines, 110-1116. Riser panel, 1 15, is fashioned such that it may be folded, along scored fold line, 117, into a back-to back relationship thus, effectively providing two riser panels, 110 and 119. Lateral cross-partition panels, 120 and 121 are cut, respectively, from riser panels, 111 and 112, and are hinged thereto along scored fold lines, 122-122 and 123-123. Each of said lateral partition panels, 120 and 121 is provided with a glue tab, 124 and 125, which glue tabs are hingedly connected to said lateral partitions along scored fold lines, 120-120 and 127-127. Handle panel, 129, is hinged to riser panel, 111, along scored fold line, 113'. Similarly, handle reinforcing panel, 130, is hinged to riser panel, 112, along scored fold line, 114. Both the handle panel and the handle reinforcing panel are separated from the end walls 107' and 109, by cut lines. The handle reinforcing panel, 130, is separated from the handle panel by substantially U-shaped cut-line, 132, and is pivotally connected to said handle panel along scored fold lines, 131-w131. Extension panel, 133, is pivotally connected to handle reinforcing panel, 130, along scored fold line, 134. Similarly, handle reinforcing panel, 135, is hinged to the handle panel, 129, along scored fold line, 130. The handle panel, 129, is provided with apertures, 137 and 130, and handle reinforcing panel, 135 is provided with aperture, 137'. In the same fashion, riser panel, 111 is provided with aperture 130, which overlays aperture, 130, when the carrier is erected. A portion of apertures, 137 and 130 is occupied by panels, 139-439, which panels are free to rotate about scored fold lines, 140--140. Similarly, a portion of apertures 137 and 130' is occupied by panels, 139-139, which panels are free to rotate about scored fold lines, 140'- 140. The blank, as shown, is cut and scored so as to define lateral partition straps, 141 and 141, which panels are pivotally connected, respectively, to handle panel, 129, and handle reinforcing panel, 130, along scored fold lines, 143 and 145. Similarly, lateral partition straps, 141 and 141' are hingedly connected to sidewall panels, 103 and 103, respectively, along scored fold lines, 144 and 146. In a similar fashion, lateral partition straps, 142 and 142' are pivotally connected, respectively, to extension panel, 133, and handle reinforcing panel, 135, by scored fold lines, 149 and 147. Lateral partition straps, 142 and 142', are also hinged to sidewalls, 103 and 103 along scored fold lines, 140 and 150.

The carrier, which represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and which may be erected from a blank, as shown in FIG. 0, is shown in perspective in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated, that the carrier may be erected through the 104 same sequence of steps shown in FIGS. 2-5, and hence, need not be again described in detail at this point. Referring then to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the preferred carton, in accordance with the present invention, is identical with that shown in FIG. 6 except for the bottom portion thereof and the connection of said bottom portion with the sidewalls. In this regard, it should be noted that the combined width of bottom panel, 101, is substantially less than the combined width of end wall panels, 107 and 109. It will be appreciated, that the total reduction in blank material is not as great as this reduction in total width, and that said reduction is due to the sloping of marginal panels, 75--75 and 75'-75, between sidewall panels, 103 and 103, and bottom wall panel, 101. As can be seen in the F16. tabs 70', extend downwardly from sidewall panel, 103'. Similarly, through not shown, tabs, 70-70 extend downwardly from sidewall panel, 103.

As can also be seen in the Figure, tabs, 8080', extend outwardly from bottom panel, 101. ln similar fashion, though not shown, tabs 00.00, extend outwardly from the opposite side of bottom panel, 101. Though not clearly shown, it will be appreciated that the width of marginal panels, 75 and 75-75', and in turn the width of tabs, 78-78, 78'78', 00*80 and 00-00, are adjusted such that the carried articles will rest squarely on the flat portion of bottom panel, 101.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated by reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that. the present invention lends itself to many modifications and variations. Moreover, the carrier of this invention can be adapted for use with any number of articles greater than eight, though for practical reasons, it will be most suitable for use with from eight to 12 articles. For these reasons, reference should be made solely to the appended claims to determine the scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. A multiple-article carrier blank which is cut and scored to define the boundaries of a carrier comprising;

a. a pair of sidewall panels which are spaced for opposed erection;

b. a bottom wall panel pivotally connected to one of said sidewall panels;

c. end wall panels pivotally connected to each of the ends of said sidewall panels;

d. at least one pair of riser panels pivotally connected to at least one pair of said end wall panels, said pair of riser panels being foldable into a back-to-back relationship;

e. at least one lateral partition panel cut from each of the two riser panels comprising said pair of riser panels, said lateral partition panels being pivotally connected to the riser panel from which it was cut;

f. a handle panel pivotally connected to at least one of said pair of riser panels;

g, a reinforcing panel, a portion of' said reinforcing panel being pivotally connected along a longitudinal line to said handle panel and a portion thereof being separated from said handle panel by a cut line, at least a portion of said cut line being transversely offset with respect to said longitudinal line; and

h. means for carrying the erected carrier provided in said handle panel.

2. A multiplearticle carrier blank which is cut and scored to define the boundaries of a carrier comprising;

a. a pair of sidewall panels;

b. a marginal panel pivotally connected to each of said sidewall panels along the lower longitudinal edges thereof;

c. a bottom wall panel pivotally connected to one of said marginal panels;

(1. end wall panels pivotally connected to both ends of said sidewall panels; 7

e. at least one pair of riser panels attached to one pair of said end wall panels, said riser panels may be foldable into a back-toback relationship when said carrier is erected;

f. at least one lateral partition panel cut from each of said pair of riser panels, said lateral partition panels being hinged to the riser panel from which it is cut;

g. a handle panel pivotally connected to one of said pair of riser panels;

h. a reinforcing panel, said reinforcing panel being pivotally connected to said handle panel along a longitudinal fold line and separated therefrom by a cut line, said cut line being transversely offset with respect to said fold line.

3. The blank of claim 2 wherein a second pair of riser panels is pivotally connected to the pair of end walls disposed on the opposite side of said blank from said first pair of riser panels.

4. The blank of claim 2 wherein a portion of one of said riser panels is fashioned so as to provide part of a two-ply handle and a handle reinforcing panel is pivotally connected to a lateral edge of said handle panel and fashioned such that said handle reinforcing panel will provide a two-ply handle in the remaining portion of said handle section when said carrier is erected.

5. The blank of claim 4 wherein a portion of one of said riser panels is adapted to overlap a portion of said handle reinforcing panel to provide a three-ply section in that portion of the handle between means which are provided for lifting the erected carrier.

6. A multiple-article carrier comprising;

a. a bottom wall panel;

b. a pair of sidewall panels pivotally connected to said bottom wall panel along the longitudinal edges thereof and extending upwardly therefrom;

c. end wall panels pivotally connected to each of the vertical ends of said sidewall panels;

d. at least one pair of riser panels pivotally connected to the ends of one pair of said end wall panels, said pair of riser panels being folded into a back-to-back relationship and extending inwardly from the ends of said end wall panels along a center line of said carrier;

e. at least one lateral partition panel cut from each of the two riser panels comprising said pair of riser panels, one end of said lateral partition panel being pivotally connected to the riser panel from which it was cut and the opposite end thereof being secured to one of said sidewall panels;

f. a handle panel attached to one of said riser panels;

g. a reinforcing panel, said reinforcing pane] being pivotally connected to said handle panel, the pivotal connection being along a line below the top edge of said handle panel when said carrier is in an upright position; and

h. means for carrying said carrier provided in said handle panel.

7. The carrier of claim 6 wherein a second pair of riser panels is pivotally connected to the pair of end walls disposed on the opposite side of said carrier from said first pair of riser panels.

8. A multiple-article carrier comprising:

a. a bottom wall panel;

b. marginal panels pivotally connected to said bottom wall panel along the longitudinal edges thereof and sloping upwardly therefrom;

c. sidewall panels pivotally connected to said marginal panels on both sides of said bottom wall panel and extending upwardly therefrom;

d. end wall panels pivotally connected to both ends of said sidewall panels along the vertical edges thereof;

e. at least one pair of riser panels attached to one pair of said end wall panels, said riser panels being folded into a back-to-back relationship and extending inwardly from the ends of said end wall panels along a center line of said carrier;

f. at least one lateral partition panel cut from each of said pair of riser panels, said lateral partition panels being hinged to the riser panel from which it is cut at one end and secured at its opposite end to one of said sidewalls;

g. a handle panel attached to one of said riser panels; and

h. a reinforcing panel, said reinforcing panel being pivotally connected to said handle panel, the pivotal connection being along a line below the top edge of said handle panel when said carrier is in the an upright position.

9. The carrier of claim 8 wherein a portion of one of said riser panels provides part of a two-ply handle and a handle reinforcing panel is pivotally connected to a lateral edge of said handle panel which provides a two-ply handle in the remaining portion of said handle.

10. The carrier of claim 9 wherein a portion of one of said riser panels overlaps a portion of said handle reinforcing panel to provide a three-ply section in that portion of the handle. 

1. A multiple-article carrier blank which is cut and scored to define the boundaries of a carrier comprising; a. a pair of sidewall panels which are spaced for opposed erection; b. a bottom wall panel pivotally connected to one of said sidewall panels; c. end wall panels pivotally connected to each of the ends of said sidewall panels; d. at least one pair of riser panels pivotally connected to at least one pair of said end wall panels, said pair of riser panels being foldable into a back-to-back relationship; e. at least one lateral partition panel cut from each of the two riser panels comprising said pair of riser panels, said lateral partition panels being pivotally connected to the riser panel from which it was cut; f. a handle panel pivotally connected to at least one of said pair of riser panels; g. a reinforcing panel, a portion of said reinforcing panel being pivotally connected along a longitudinal line to said handle panel and a portion thereof being separated from said handle panel by a cut line, at least a portion of said cut line being transversely offset with respect to said longitudinal line; and h. means for carrying the erected carrier provided in said handle panel.
 2. A multiple-article carrier blank which is cut and scored to define the boundaries of a carrier comprising; a. a pair of sidewall panels; b. a marginal panel pivotally connected to each of said sidewall panels along the lower longitudinal edges thereof; c. a bottom wall panel pivotally connected to one of said marginal panels; d. end wall panels pivotally connected to both ends of said sidewall panels; e. at least one pair of riser panels attached to one pair of said end wall panels, said riser panels may be foldable into a back-to-back relationship when said carrier is erected; f. at least one lateral partition panel cut from each of said pair of riser panels, said lateral partition panels being hinged to the riser panel from which it is cut; g. a handle panel pivotally connected to one of said pair of riser panels; h. a reinforcing panel, said reinforcing panel being pivotally connected to said handle panel along a longitudinal fold line and separated therefrom by a cut line, said cut line being transversely offset with respect to said fold line.
 3. The blank of claim 2 wherein a second pair of riser panels is pivotally connected to the pair of end walls disposed on the opposite side of said blank from said first pair of riser panels.
 4. The blank of claim 2 wherein a portion of one of said riser panels is fashioned so as to provide part of a two-ply handle and a handle reinforcing panel is pivotally connected to a lateral edge of said handle panel and fashioned such that said handle reinforcing panel will provide a two-ply handle in the remaining portion of said handle section when said carrier is erected.
 5. The blank of claim 4 wherein a portion of one of said riser panels is adapted to overlap a portion of said handle reinforcing panel to provide a three-ply section in that portion of the handle between means which are provided for lifting the erected carrier.
 6. A multiple-article carrier comprising; a. a bottom wall panel; b. a pair of sidewAll panels pivotally connected to said bottom wall panel along the longitudinal edges thereof and extending upwardly therefrom; c. end wall panels pivotally connected to each of the vertical ends of said sidewall panels; d. at least one pair of riser panels pivotally connected to the ends of one pair of said end wall panels, said pair of riser panels being folded into a back-to-back relationship and extending inwardly from the ends of said end wall panels along a center line of said carrier; e. at least one lateral partition panel cut from each of the two riser panels comprising said pair of riser panels, one end of said lateral partition panel being pivotally connected to the riser panel from which it was cut and the opposite end thereof being secured to one of said sidewall panels; f. a handle panel attached to one of said riser panels; g. a reinforcing panel, said reinforcing panel being pivotally connected to said handle panel, the pivotal connection being along a line below the top edge of said handle panel when said carrier is in an upright position; and h. means for carrying said carrier provided in said handle panel.
 7. The carrier of claim 6 wherein a second pair of riser panels is pivotally connected to the pair of end walls disposed on the opposite side of said carrier from said first pair of riser panels.
 8. A multiple-article carrier comprising: a. a bottom wall panel; b. marginal panels pivotally connected to said bottom wall panel along the longitudinal edges thereof and sloping upwardly therefrom; c. sidewall panels pivotally connected to said marginal panels on both sides of said bottom wall panel and extending upwardly therefrom; d. end wall panels pivotally connected to both ends of said sidewall panels along the vertical edges thereof; e. at least one pair of riser panels attached to one pair of said end wall panels, said riser panels being folded into a back-to-back relationship and extending inwardly from the ends of said end wall panels along a center line of said carrier; f. at least one lateral partition panel cut from each of said pair of riser panels, said lateral partition panels being hinged to the riser panel from which it is cut at one end and secured at its opposite end to one of said sidewalls; g. a handle panel attached to one of said riser panels; and h. a reinforcing panel, said reinforcing panel being pivotally connected to said handle panel, the pivotal connection being along a line below the top edge of said handle panel when said carrier is in the an upright position.
 9. The carrier of claim 8 wherein a portion of one of said riser panels provides part of a two-ply handle and a handle reinforcing panel is pivotally connected to a lateral edge of said handle panel which provides a two-ply handle in the remaining portion of said handle.
 10. The carrier of claim 9 wherein a portion of one of said riser panels overlaps a portion of said handle reinforcing panel to provide a three-ply section in that portion of the handle. 